The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout competition in English football, organised by and named after The Football Association (the FA). It is the oldest existing football competition in the world,[1] having commenced in the 1871–72 season.[2] The tournament is open to all clubs in the top 10 levels of the English football league system, although a club's home stadium must meet certain requirements prior to entering the tournament.[3] The competition culminates at the end of the league season usually in May with the FA Cup Final, officially named The Football Association Challenge Cup Final Tie, which has traditionally been regarded as the showpiece finale of the English football season.[4]

Until 1999, a draw in the final would result in the match being replayed at a later date;[13] since then the final has always been decided on the day, with a penalty shootout as required.[14] As of 2013 a penalty shoot-out has been required on only two occasions, in the 2005 and 2006 finals. The competition did not take place during the First and Second World Wars, other than in the 1914–15 season, when it was completed, and the 1939–40 season, when it was abandoned during the qualifying rounds.[2]

A. ^Sheffield Wednesday's total includes two wins and one defeat under the earlier name of The Wednesday.
B. ^Wimbledon relocated in 2004 from south London to Milton Keynes rebranding the club as Milton Keynes Dons, however the current incarnation of the club contends that it was founded in 2004 and does not lay claim to the history or honours (including the FA Cup win) of Wimbledon.[19]